Editorial Policy
Editorial purpose
Healthful Harbor is a personal educational website run by Ben Shannon. The goal is to publish practical, experience-based information that helps readers understand general wellbeing guidance and take realistic next steps. The site is one person’s working knowledge, not a panel-reviewed publication.
Who writes it
Every article on this site is written by Ben Shannon. I do not currently have a medical, nutrition, mental-health or physiotherapy reviewer on retainer. Nothing on this site should be treated as clinically reviewed unless a specific post explicitly says “Medically reviewed by [Name, Credentials]” on the byline.
If a future post is reviewed by a qualified professional, that will be clearly disclosed in the byline and on the post page.
Source standards
I try to prioritise:
- Australian government health agencies (Department of Health, Healthdirect, NHMRC)
- The World Health Organization
- Recognised professional bodies (e.g. Dietitians Australia, AHPRA-registered professions)
- Peer-reviewed research where I can read it in full
- Established health institutions (e.g. Mayo Clinic, NHS, CDC)
I try to avoid presenting a single small study, personal testimonial, or commercial claim as settled fact. Where evidence is limited, mixed, or still developing, I aim to make that uncertainty clear.
Writing and review
Drafts are checked for clear language, logical structure, source alignment, reasonable safety guidance, and unsupported claims. Automated tools may assist with research organisation, drafting, formatting or quality checks, but they do not replace editorial judgement or professional healthcare input.
Health and safety language
I try to:
- Avoid prescriptive medical claims (“X cures Y”, “you should do X”, “X prevents disease”)
- Use hedged, experience-based language (“I find X helps”, “some research suggests”, “many guides recommend”)
- Avoid diagnosing readers or making promises that any food, exercise, supplement or wellness practice will prevent, cure or treat a condition
- Provide appropriate modifications and warning signs in exercise content
- Avoid unnecessary restriction in nutrition content and acknowledge that individual needs vary
- Encourage timely professional or crisis support in mental-health content
I am not always going to get this right. If you spot a place where the language slips into prescription or over-claim, please tell me.
Updates
Important articles are updated when recommendations, evidence, links or available services change. Published and modified dates help readers judge currency. Time-sensitive references are reviewed more frequently than stable educational material.
Corrections
Meaningful factual errors are corrected promptly. Minor spelling, formatting and link repairs may be made without a separate correction notice. Substantial changes are reflected in the page’s updated date and, where useful, explained within the article.
Commercial independence
Healthful Harbor does not currently run advertising, affiliate relationships, sponsorships, or accept free products in exchange for coverage. If that ever changes, it will be disclosed clearly on the relevant page and on this policy. Commercial relationships will never determine health conclusions or prevent fair discussion of limitations.
Reader responsibility
Healthful Harbor provides general educational information. Readers should use qualified professional care for individual symptoms, diagnoses, medications, injuries and treatment decisions. See the Health Information Disclaimer for the full picture.
Reference organisations
Examples of authoritative public-health sources used on this site include:
- Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Healthdirect Australia
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- Dietitians Australia
- Lifeline Australia and Beyond Blue for mental-health support